1
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devil
an appealingly mischievous person
come back here, you little monkey!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monkey
Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2019
To make matters more confusing, Apple monkeyed around with the names of the new stuff.
—Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2019
PC Magazine, 3 July 2025
There were also yaks, deer, buffalo, camels, a kangaroo, ostriches, eight monkeys, six raccoons, two grizzly bears, black bears, brown bears, seals, lions, an old tiger, a blind hyena, a circus elephant, an alligator and 400 birds, including a talking crow.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Noun
To make matters more confusing, Apple monkeyed around with the names of the new stuff.
—Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2019
To make matters more confusing, Apple monkeyed around with the names of the new stuff.
—Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2019
Verb
Many of the racist stereotypes depicted are negative toward Black people in the United States, showing them as monkeys, absent parents, or criminals.
—PC Magazine, 3 July 2025
There were also yaks, deer, buffalo, camels, a kangaroo, ostriches, eight monkeys, six raccoons, two grizzly bears, black bears, brown bears, seals, lions, an old tiger, a blind hyena, a circus elephant, an alligator and 400 birds, including a talking crow.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
Noun
-
They are individually haunted by grief and addiction, unable to really be what each other needs.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
-
That none of its victims died provides a glimmer of hope that the scourge of addiction has emerged from the shadows of society.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
In his mug shot, Anton bears little resemblance to the handsome devil from the earlier composite image.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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To play devil’s advocate to myself, though, this time around the contestants have air conditioning, which might have been a deal-breaker in order to get any contestants from The Golden Bachelor/ette there.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
In Memphis, he was photographed with one foot on the running board of a car, jabbing a gun at the camera and aping a pose made famous by Bonnie Parker.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
All of the hallmarks that made the group such a force in the Seventies and Eighties — the irresistible melodies, the spark-up-and-chill vibes, those voices — are present here, without any trace of aping the past.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
And now, without further ado, an ode to the rogues and rascals who make being hot and doing crimes in this galaxy so fun to watch.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Something tells me those wary rascals spotted us and gave us the slip.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
The Muppet Show was parodying a format that doesn’t exist anymore.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
-
Reno 911! is a mockumentary comedy series that parodies law enforcement and premiered on Comedy Central in 2003.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Things got a little chaotic and dangerous when a rogue wheel momentarily became the star of a monster truck show.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
In a clip posted by Variety, a bee flew near Stone, who shrank away while Pedro and costar Austin Butler swatted and blew on the rogue bug.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Artificial tears and lubricants, which are sold over the counter in a variety of brands, mimic your own tears and help rewet the eyes.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
21 July 2025
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Typically, very young children are the ones who are most excited to mimic their parents and lend a hand with laundry.—
Christine Carrig,
The Atlantic,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Outside Greentown Tavern, a cook was barbequing hot dogs and brats, while people spent a few dollars throwing three balls at a button to drop a volunteer into a dunk tank.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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East Nashville Beer Works Memorial Day Cookout (Nashville, May 26): East Nashville Beer Works is hosting a family-friendly cookout from noon to 10 p.m. with beer brats and hot dogs, as well as their normal full menu.—
Alessia Sandala,
The Tennessean,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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